1500 grit and above

[marekz]

where can i fing some dealers who could sell me super super super fine grit paper. seriously how high of a grit is really needed for an excellent finish--isnt 2000 alittle over the top.--thanks mark

 

[Will Leavitt]

Marek, most work knife finishes are 400-600x 1500x is a level that requires serious psychological help.

Most automotive body supply shops will sell up to 2500x or so, usually 3M paper. Sheffiels and Jantz sell the film micron sheets up to about 2000 2500x.

 

[argel55]

Pops has it up to 4000 and higher.

 

[Russ Andrews]

Grit levells are less important than technique.
Once you've used 12/1500 to their best, you may
not see a need to go further.

 

[marekz]

i was thinking about the wood handles. i thought a good 600 grit sanding is more than enough but i quess not. i thought they looked great but ill try 1000-2000 on my handles and see just how much better it is. as far as the steel--what grit will get yuou a mirror finish?--thanks marekzzz

 

[Bill DeShivs]

Over 600 grit is pretty useless for wood. Buff after 400/600 with 0000 steel wool, and wax.
The higher grits are for metal.

 

[silver_pilate]

Check your local auto parts store in the paint section. They usually carry up to 2000 grit.

Bill, I agree that for most handle materials, I stop at 600, but desert ironwood really starts to shine at 1500 and 2000 grit.

--nathan

 

[Dan Pierson]

Micromesh works really well on desert ironwood, stabilized wood, rosewoods etc.

 

[CubistHamster]

I've found 2000 grit 3M paper in the automotive section in several Wal-Marts (in multiple states.)

 

[Sawce]

Can you sand wood with the wet/dry paper? or is a multi purpose paper ok? I tried wet/dry but it seemed to fill pore/grain with dark material. I'm not sure if it was my technique or the paper.

Sorry if i'm a little off subject.

 

[marekz]

thanks yall-any more comment/techniques on sanding steel welcome. thanks for the info you guys kick arsh-marekz

 

[scottickes]

I personally take any damascus steels or steels that I'm going to mustard patina to at least 1200 grit finish. Little itty bitty scratches seem to find a way to show off when you do any kind of etching process on steel.

For hand sanded finishes, that don't include an etch, I stop at 600 or 800 grit.

 

[jdm61]

A few woods. like ancient kauri may benefit from being sanded up to around 1000, but remebember that there is probably a reason that the woodworking sections of most stores usually don't carry any paper finer than 400. For stuff like irionwood or stabilized wood, you can buff. Like the previous poster said, once you get there, good old OOOO steel wool may be your best friend. Wookworkers consider 220 and maybe even 1280 to be fine paper, whereas us metal sanding guys consider those to be medium at best. Now Russ can do a hand rubbed finish up to 1200, but he has years of exeprience, steady hands and precisely calibrated eyeballs I usually do a 400 or 600 grit, which means I go to the next higher grit and back to my finish grit for my carful straight one way strokes with the paper back with a hard rubber sanding block..